Falling Into Love (Paradise Place Book 5)

by Natalie Ann

  “I can understand that,” he said, knowing it would be hard to do that with his family’s business too. “The company is in my grandparents’ and father’s and uncle’s names. Not even my mother or aunt. If something happens to them it goes to the next generation, but it will never be owned by just one person unless someone buys the rest out. I’m not sure anyone would.”

  “Exactly. And though I could have held onto it and put it in the kids’ names, why would I? They are too young and I really don’t know enough about what John and Tyler did to make the company so big. I’m the numbers gal. And I like that.” She snuggled into his side. “I’m not going to talk money with you, it’s tacky to do that, but once we settle on a valuation, John has to get a loan to buy me out. Some of it might be in stock options, some in payments to me. I’m not sure. I’d never make it hard for him, he’s like a brother to me. I’ll always have a home there, but he deserves the right to do what he wants with the company. The thing is, there, people knew me. They knew or know what I’m worth. It was better to leave.”

  “Were you not safe there?” he asked starting to read between the lines.

  “I’m not sure that is the word I’d use. It was more a nuisance. I’ve had someone reach out to me here a few times trying to guilt me into helping him. I haven’t responded and forwarded it all to John. I haven’t heard anything in a few weeks so I’m thinking it’s done. And it’s only been twice since I’ve been here.”

  “Tell me about it,” he said. “I want to know.”

  “There is no reason. It’s just someone that Tyler helped out. He’d lived in our guest house while he got back on his feet. He was an addict, but he was a good employee at one point. He said the stress of the job made him drink. Everyone worked so hard back then and Tyler felt guilty. John didn’t. He was of the opinion people could leave if they wanted. No one was forcing employees to stay or work like we did. If Walt sold his stock options or blew through his money on liquor and drugs it wasn’t our problem.”

  “Exactly,” he said.

  “Anyway. There is nothing I can do to help this guy. I’m not giving him money; I’d never do that. He’s in Washington and even if I lived there, he wasn’t going back into the guest house.” She leaned up a bit and started to kiss his neck. “No more talk of something that isn’t a big deal. The kids are sleeping soundly above us. Why don’t you take me to bed.”

  They hadn’t done much more than kiss in her house. When they had time alone to fool around it was at his place. If the kids were gone at school, then Zoe was here. Which reminded him.

  “Your sister?” he asked.

  “Not here. Her car was still gone and it doesn’t matter if she was. She’d know you were here and stay downstairs. We’ll lock the bedroom door if it makes you feel better.”

  He stood up and put his hand out to hers to pull her up. “We can lock it anyway in case the kids get up.”

  He’d never had to worry about anything like that in the past but wasn’t sure he wanted her stressing over it either.

  Once they were in her room, he shut the door and turned the lock, then picked her up and brought her to her bed.

  He reached into his pocket for his wallet and realized it was locked in his truck. “I need to go get a condom out of my wallet.”

  She rolled on the bed and opened a drawer and pulled the box out. “All set. I’m prepared. Actually Zoe gave me them the first night in case you didn’t have any. I’m on the pill, but well, I didn’t know your history and all.”

  “I’ve always worn condoms. No use tempting fate.”

  “I love kids but am not ready for another anytime soon,” she said. “I’ve been on the pill since Maddie was born. Now it’s more a convenience than anything.”

  He pulled his shirt over his head and reached for hers, but she scooted back. “What?” he asked.

  “Strip for me.”

  “You’re joking,” he said.

  “Nope. I’m not asking you to dance or anything. Though that might be nice. No, no. Sorry. My bad. Just strip. Let me watch. Do it slow. I like your body.”

  He felt himself start to laugh. How many times had women stripped for him or put on a show? He’d never asked, but he enjoyed it the same. Now he was being asked to do it.

  “Will you return the favor?”

  “If you want me to.”

  “You know I do,” he said, unbuttoning his jeans and getting ready to drop them.

  “Just your jeans. Then your underwear. Flex your arms for me too.”

  “You said no dancing. That’s posing. Same thing.”

  “No posing,” she said, laughing this time. “Just, you know, flex them while you lower your jeans.”

  He rolled his eyes but did what she asked. “Oh yeah. Your arms. Can I say how much I love your arms?”

  He didn’t think it was possible to be embarrassed, but he was sure the hell feeling it now. Of course he did what she wanted. He realized he’d do anything she asked and wondered if he might be falling in love when he never thought it was possible.

  When he didn’t think his heart could ever be lost to one person let alone three. Because the truth was, he was slowly falling in love with her kids too and seeing himself with them as a family.

  “Can I lower my boxers now?” he asked once his jeans were kicked away.

  “Definitely. Someone wants to come out and play. I’m ready to play.”

  He didn’t expect her to be so much fun in the bedroom, but she always was. As nervous as she’d been that first time, she held nothing back now.

  He dropped his boxers and stood there for her. “Your turn.”

  She jumped up fast and gave him a little shove on the bed to sit where she was.

  Her shirt came up and over her head, then her jeans. He wanted to ask what her rush was, but then she started to slowly drag her fingertips around the swell of her breasts peeking above the lace.

  She turned and showed him her backside nestled so lovely in blue silk panties. Her bra was the same color and material. “You like matching sets, don’t you?”

  “They’re fun,” she said. “I like to have fun.”

  “I like that you like to be that way.” His hands went to reach for her, but she stepped back.

  “Nope. You asked me to strip and I will.” The snap for her bra was in the front. Once she released it, the cups slid to the side a little but didn’t expose her whole breast.

  She put one hand on her shoulder and pushed the strap down, then the other until her bra was landing on the floor.

  She hooked her thumbs into the sides of her panties and started to wiggle her hips just enough, bending over so that her breasts were closer to his face, then she stood back up completely naked.

  “Do you like what you see?” she asked.

  “Most definitely.”

  “I just feel so free with you. More free than I’ve ever felt before in my life.”

  “I know that feeling well,” he said softly.

  She moved over to get a condom on the bedside and then climbed on the bed, her knees straddling him. “I think I want to set the pace tonight. Maybe I need to wear you out for once.”

  “It’s all in your hands,” he said.

  “Exactly how I want it to be.”

  She opened the condom and covered him up, then hovered over the top of him and slid right down.

  Her head fell back and a moan escaped. He loved how reactive she was every time they were together.

  A look. A touch. Anything. And she was moaning or gasping.

  He felt so powerful around her. Like no one could turn her on the way he did.

  She moved up and then down, placing her hands on his chest for leverage and then just started to ride him. “Let me know if you can’t keep up.”

  “I’m tough. I can handle it.” Though the faster she moved he wasn’t so sure when he felt the pressure building.

  Her breasts were bobbing up and down, her breath was coming out in gasps, and her nails were lea
ving marks once again, this time on his chest.

  He sat up, keeping her inside of him, tugging her as close to him as possible, his mouth capturing hers in a kiss meant to slow her down and heat her up at the same time.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist and started to move back and forward, riding him just the same but not as fast. Just as intense though.

  “Shannon,” he said. “I’m not sure I can last much longer.”

  “Then don’t,” she said. “Make me fall with you.”

  He slid his hand between their bodies, found her swollen nub and flicked it a few times, her body tensed, causing him to move his hand and let her just take over.

  He had to cover her mouth with his for fear she was going to wake the kids with as loud as she was getting.

  It wasn’t just her, but he felt the need to shout out her name as he emptied into her.

  Then there was just silence. No movements, no sounds.

  His hands holding her close, her head on his shoulders.

  He lay back, her legs moving out from behind him, her body relaxing on his.

  Hours later he heard a beep and looked around. The bedroom was dark and he must have fallen asleep after he’d come back to bed to hold Shannon a little longer.

  “It’s just Zoe coming home,” she said. “That’s the security alert that the garage door is opening.”

  “Are you sure it’s her?” he asked. Now he was slightly nervous after she’d told him about the leech employee.

  “Of course. Who else would it be?”

  She grabbed her phone and looked, then showed him.

  “I should get up and go,” he said, throwing the covers back.

  “I wish you didn’t have to, but it’s probably best.”

  He wanted to say he would love nothing more than to stay, but then they’d have to explain to the kids too. He wasn’t sure either of them was ready for that just yet.

  He started to dress in the dark, but then the light switched on making him blink several times. “I’ll walk out with you,” she said.

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I do, so I can lock up after you leave. Or shut the garage door since you’ll go out that way.”

  Once they were in the hallway to the garage, he pulled her close and kissed her softly. Tenderly. Not like he’d felt earlier. But this feeling was much more powerful.

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” he said.

  “Or you can come to breakfast,” she said.

  “What?”

  “Show up early. I’ll text you when Jeffrey gets up and you can come over. If they get used to seeing you in the morning they might not realize you could spend the night. They might think you just drove over before they got up since I’m up before them. Or is that too sneaky?”

  “It’s not sneaky. It’s easing them into it.” He kissed her one more time, then said, “I’ll see you in the morning and I’ll bring donuts.”

  “Talk about sneaky,” she said. “Trying to win my kids over with sweets.”

  “Whatever works.”

  “You work,” she said.

  “Same here.”

  He walked out the door and to his truck, then drove the mile home wishing he could have just stayed in Shannon’s arms.

  23

  Super Sweet

  A few weeks later, Shannon was putting the finishing touches on the kid’s Halloween costumes.

  Ryan would be over shortly and the two of them were going to walk the kids around the development for trick or treating while Zoe handed out candy at the house.

  She didn’t plan on being gone long. Her kids didn’t need the candy as much as she just wanted them to experience going out trick or treating.

  “Do you have it covered?” she asked Zoe.

  “I watch your little munchkins all the time. All I need to do is sit in the front living room and open the door when the doorbell rings.”

  “The dogs might go a bit nuts. Maybe I should put them in the crate,” she said, thinking more of it.

  “Or maybe you and Ryan can take the dogs with you. You’re not going far and they’d love to walk. It’s not that cold out.”

  “That’s a good idea,” she told her sister. For the end of October it was actually beautiful out. High fifties and the kids were liable to be sweating under the costumes while they walked.

  “I’ve been known to have them now and again. So, when is Ryan going to start spending the night? He stays late enough and then leaves. Comes back for breakfast the next day. It makes no sense.”

  “I’m trying to think of the kids,” she said. “I don’t want to confuse them. It was my idea to have him show up after Jeffrey was up. And since I’m up so early, maybe Jeffrey won’t realize that Ryan can spend the night now and again.”

  “I’ve never known you to be like this before. I like it. But what’s the big deal?” Zoe asked. “They know you are dating. They like him.”

  “They are six and three. They don’t know about sex and I’m not in the mood to explain it. What if Jeffrey asks where Ryan is sleeping?”

  “I’m not sure his mind will go there, but you do make a good point. You’ll figure it out. And here he is. You’re getting good at sending the kids into other rooms when you want to talk to me.”

  “The house is big enough to get away with it. Thankfully.”

  “Ryan’s here,” Zoe yelled and knew the kids would come running to the front now. But they didn’t, they ran to the side door to wait for Ryan to walk in by the mudroom.

  “Hi, Ryan,” they could hear Jeffrey say. “Do you know what I am?”

  “It looks like you’re a construction worker,” Ryan said.

  “I’m you,” Jeffrey said.

  Zoe bumped shoulders with her. “That was super sweet. Whose idea was that, by the way?”

  “All Jeffrey.”

  Ryan walked to the front where she was standing with Zoe. “And what are you, Maddie? Oh, let me guess. You’re a monkey.”

  “No, silly. I’m Rapunzel. She’s a princess.”

  “She is?” he asked, looking at Shannon.

  “A Disney princess. You need to get them straight, you know.”

  “I guess I should do some homework.”

  “What do you have there?” she asked at the bags in his hand.

  “Candy from my mother and Whitney. I said we weren’t going to go down as far as my mom’s house and Whitney is close to them. They gave me these in the office and asked me to take pictures and send them.”

  “Well then, pose with the kids and let me get a few,” she said.

  “I just figured I’d take them,” he said.

  “How about you both pose with the kids and I’ll take the pictures with Shannon’s phone,” Zoe said.

  “That’s a great idea,” she said.

  “Wait,” Zoe said. “You need the dogs. Family shot.”

  Maddie and Jeffrey each grabbed their dogs and held them while the four of them stood together for a picture. “Put your arm around me,” she said, laughing. “Otherwise your parents are going to think I’m forcing this.”

  “Aren’t you?” he asked but then kissed her on the cheek.

  “Got it,” Zoe said. She knew darn well what that picture was going to look like too.

  “I’ll send them to you later,” she told Ryan. “Let’s get the dog’s leashes and go. It will be easier if Zoe didn’t have to deal with the dogs too.”

  He opened the bags and pulled out two necklaces and two flashlights. “For the kids.” He snapped the necklaces to activate them and put them on their necks. “We can see and recognize them better in the sea of kids and flashlights because it can get a little dark going from one house to the other since there aren’t streetlights. Though everyone has their lights on out front in their driveway.”

  “That was very thoughtful. Guess you know more about this than me.”

  “I’ve got a lot of good memories of trick or treating around here.”

  The four of the
m went out the front door and made their way up the street. The kids were ringing bells and they were just a few feet behind them standing with other parents so that the kids got the attention.

  When Jeffrey rang Lauren’s door a few down, she opened and then looked out at the parents, her eyes landing on her and then Ryan. “Hey, Shannon. Hmm, we need to have some time together again and catch up.”

  “Sure,” she said back. There had been plenty of people who recognized Ryan tonight, but not many knew her or the kids. Not by name at least.

  But now everyone would know who he was dating.

  It had been his idea to take Shannon and the kids out tonight.

  He used the excuse that he knew the area and how things were done, but it was lame even coming from his mouth.

  What he really wanted was everyone to see them together and know they were a couple.

  To get used to them, especially since he’d been hearing about his truck being at her house all the time now anyway.

  “It looks like you’ve got a lot of loot in there,” Zoe said to the kids when they walked in the front door.

  The kids took off to the back of the house with the dogs following. “They did get a lot. More than they can possibly eat, but I promised them each two pieces with a piece of fruit.”

  “You’re no fun. Let them have the candy and a glass of milk,” Zoe said. “I can’t believe you are making them eat fruit with it.”

  “Ryan said the same thing,” Shannon said.

  “I’ll go get the kids out of their costumes,” Ryan said.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

  He went to the kitchen where Maddie was hopping around and trying to unzip her dress from the back, but Jeffrey was right there ready to help. Again the kid was a good big brother.

  “I’ve got it, Jeffrey. Can you get your toolbelt off on your own?”

  “Yes,” Jeffrey said, undoing it while Ryan unzipped the back of Maddie’s dress and pulled it over her head, leaving her in her leggings and a sweatshirt.